Three pontoon boats were tied to a series of docks near the boat launch at Lynchs Point, a sure sign that the fishing and boating season was in full swing in southern Manitoba. As I backed my friends boat down the cement launch pad, the adrenaline started to pump. It was the start of a new fishing season, the sun was shining and hopefully the fish would be biting, so how could you not be excited. As Jim Price and I headed down the channel into the Whitemud River, shore anglers were lined up at the campground near the mouth…
Author: Don Lamont
Don Lamont
Don Lamont - The Complete Angler Don Lamont has been a full time professional angler for 41 years, hosting and producing the award winning “The Complete Angler” television series for fifteen of those. Don has received several awards for his commitment to public education and the future of recreational fishing in Canada. Don had a regular fishing column in the Winnipeg Free Press for 30 years and is currently editor of Hooked Magazine. He also recently took on the role of Executive Director of the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters, if he wasn't busy enough already! He recently published a book that highlights many of his adventures over a lifetime of fishing. It can be purchased online at donlamont.com
THE EARLY SEASON PIKE OF NUELTIN LAKETo have the chance to catch a really big pike, one that breaks the magic 50-inch barrier (127 centimetres) has been a dream of mine since I started fishing professionally. My most memorable experience with these big creatures came when I visited Neultin Lake Lodge as guests of Gary and Shawn Gurke a couple of years back.This lake one of the most exciting trophy destinations in the world. Given the fact that the lake is close to 170 kilometres long, interspersed with shallow bays that are prime pike habitat, your choices and chances to…
It was a bright, beautiful day as we headed up Highway #7 to Teulon, then left on Highway #17 that splits the Interlake into two sections. We headed north through Inwood, past the Narcisse snake dens, stopping in Poplarfield to get an ice cream cone, then continued on #17 all the way past Fisher Branch until we hit Provincial Road #325. Now on gravel, we headed straight west for 16 kilometres until we came to Davis Road. Here we met up with another truck full of anglers with a boat hooked on the back looking for directions. As we pulled…
Smallmouth bass in northern Manitoba? Yes, despite the harsh winters, this adaptable species has done well in many of the lakes that they have been introduced to in this part of the world.On a trip to four years ago to The Pas and area, not only did we catch numbers of smallmouth bass, we caught extremely large fish as well.Bradley Lake, is one of a number of lakes in this part of the world that has seen the introduction of smallmouth by Manitoba Fisheries over the last few years. While not all of the lakes have been success stories, this…
Planning a trip north to enjoy some spectacular trout, walleye and pike fishing during the month of April? One of my top choices at this time of year are the lakes and rivers around The Pas, Manitoba.Four years ago I had chance to enjoy the spectacular walleye fishing in the Saskatchewan River right in the town itself. On my trip I was able to get out for an evening with local angler Dale Kerwin. We unloaded our snowmobiles right in town and headed west to the mouth of the Carrot River, one of the numerous tributaries that supply water to…
I am looking forward to putting the boat in the water in the next couple of weeks. Though it has been a late thaw, frozen and open water action is improving at a rapid rate as the days get longer.For those of you looking for open water fishing action, some of the launches on the Rainy River in Northwestern Ontario and Minnesota have cleared in the last week. If you want up-to-date information visit the www.clemenstonresort.com website. They have daily updates on ramp conditions and fishing success on the Rainy River. On a trip a few years ago I discovered…
The sun was beating down on the surface of mighty Lake Winnipeg, trying to penetrate the four feet of ice and snow that covered this immense body of water. Across this section of lake near Hecla Island, vehicles, snow machines, and ATV’s were scattered everywhere, a testament to both the quality of the fishing and the beautiful weather. It didn’t hurt that conditions allowed anglers to drive pretty much to any location they wanted to without fear of getting stuck. As the ice fishing season drew to a close on the southern section of the province (with a general closure…
Rising fuel costs are having a fairly significant impact on the sport fishing industry in Manitoba. From the angler who wants to hook up the boat to head out to his or her favourite fishing hole to the company that wants to plan a corporate fishing adventure, people are being much more selective in their travels. They also are much more reluctant to head some where if they don’t think the fish are biting or the weather is going to be lousy!Anglers are also making sure they don’t head out alone if they can help it. Long trips are being…
Whales, whales everywhere! That had been the theme of a four day salmon fishing trip to the west coast. But nothing in the previous three and half days prepared us for what we were about to witness. We were making one last trolling pass on the east side of Coho point, when something grabbed my attention off the port bow. In the distance, amongst a group of boats, I could see a huge fluke slapping the water. John Toone, my partner on this salmon fishing trip to the west coast, turned around in the boat to get a better view.…